Flying-machine.



H. J. GASANOVAQ FLYING MACHINE. APPLIOATION FILED OCT. 9, 1909.

Patented Jan. 3, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

H. J. CASANOVA. FLYING MACHINE. APPLIUATION FILED 0019, 1909.

Patented Jan. 3,1911.

' 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H. J. GASANOVA. FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED 00129, 1909.

Patented Jan.3, 1911.

5 sums-11111121 3.-

H. J. GASAN-OVA.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 9, 1909. v

Patented Jan. 3, 1911.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Jamil WM, W

H. J. CASA-NOVA.

FLYING MACHINE. APPLICATION TILED OCT. 9, 1909.

Patented Jan.3,191 1.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

g JQMW UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIon;

HENRY J. GASANOVA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 9, 1909.

Patented ,Jan. 3:1911. Serial No. 521,812.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J. CAsANovA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county 0f Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates in general to flying machines, but pertains more in particular to a flying machine of a type embodying both the flying and gliding principle.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to construct a machine of the heavier-than-air type, capable of raising itself from the ground by its own power.

Another object of the invention is to construct a machine in which means are provided for raising the machine from the ground and sustaining the same at any desired height, with further means for propelling the same forward.

To accomplish the foregoing objects, the machine consists broadly in a device having .a stationary supporting plane with wingson both sides thereof, capable of being moved vertically, and adapted to raise the machine from the ground and to maintain the same at the desired height, in combination with suitable propelling mechanism for drivingthe machine forward in a line parallel with the longitudinal axis of the top plane.

One of the principal advantages of my invention resides in the construction of the aforesaid plane and wings, comprising certain valve mechanism, reducing the superficial area of the plane and wings man up ward movement by the opening of the valves, and the valves closing in a downward move -ment.

A further advantage of my invention resides in the mechanism for propelling the machine, and particularly ina single shaft capable of operating propellers at both the forward and rear end of the machine, and to which the wings are connected, whereby the weight of the machine is materially reduced by a simple and efficient construction.

Another advantage ofthe invention resides in the material of which I construct the plane and wings of my machine, consisting of ordinary palm leaves, secured together, and strengthened by means hereinafter shown and described.

Another feature of the invention resides in the means for effecting the steering, which The propellers'are pre consists connecting one of the propellers to the drivlng shaft by means of a suitable coupling, whereby the pro 'eller may be,

moved by the operator at di 'erent angles. Still a further ad antage of the invention is in the particular construction of the frame work, whereby the breaking of the frame will not disable the machine.

Further details and advantages of the invention, and particularly details of construction relating to the fans employed, compos;

ing the wings or planes, will be hereinaftei more fully dwelt upon in the specification and-are clearly which V Figure 1 is a top plan view of my. machine. Fig. 2 is a-v longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1, the wings in Fig. 3 being at a different angle from that shown in Fig. 1.: Fig. 4 is shownin the drawings, in

a plan view of one of the sections composing the wings and top plane. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective View of part ofthe driving mech anism. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detail partial sectional view of the frame construction. Referring now more particularly to the dra-win s, 11 represents as a whole-the plat form 0 the machine, having suitable wheels 12 secured thereto.v Secured to the platform ihg longitudinally relative to the body of p the machine, and is adapted to have an oscillating or rotating movement for a purpose hereinafter described. The shaft 18 extends through said'sleeve 16 and in the preferred form has two propellers 19 and 20, atjeach end thereof; the propeller 19 adapted to drive the machine forward, and the propeller 20 adapted to have a ulling efiect,

fiirably identical in their construction, but arereversed as totheir blades in their position upon the-pro pelling shaft, to push and pull, respectively.

Secured to the sleeve 16 are a series of cross rods 21, 21 and 21", which normally lie in the sameplane and in the referred construction six of such cross ro s are secured to the sleeve, each adjacent set forming the frame work for wings upon opposite sides of the stationary plane. The two end sets (21 and 21 of the cross rods being 7 suitably secured to the sleeve 16 by the joints 22, and the middle set of cross rods being loosely mounted on the sleeve 16 by means of the sleeves 23; the driving mechanism be side of the stationary plane, viz: 24 and 24",

is equal to the area of the middle-wing 26, so that the movement of the wings on both sides of the stationary plane result in the displacement of substantially the same volume of air and therefore there is no tilting of the machine when thewings are moved.

From the foregoing description, it will be I understood that when the Wings 24 and24 move downwardly, the wing 26 will move upward, while the movement of the wings 25 and 25 is always in a reverse, direction to the wings 24 24 and 26 The particular construction of the wings will be hereafter more fully described. 7

A sprocket wheel 27' is secured to the power'shaft 18, the sleeve 16 being connected oneither side of the sprocket wheel by means of the spanner 28. Foreifectwing the driving of the power shaft suitable power means 29, such as agasolene engine or any other suitable-motive power, is secured to the frame 11, having a suitable sprocket 30 connected to the shaft 31, the sprockets 27 and 30 being connected by means of the chain 32 or other suitablebelt means, whereby the operation of the engine 29 causes the rotation of the shaft 18 and correspondingly rotates the propellers 19 and 20.

For effecting the driving of the wings a I suitable motive power, such as a' vgasolene engine; 33, similar to, the engine 29, is secured to the frame 11 and is provided with asuitable shaft 34, carrying the usual sprocket .35. Mountedupon the frame 11 are suitable standards 36, the ends of which afiord bearings for the crankshaft 37, havingthe usual crank arms 38a'nd 38. The crank shaft is provided with a sprocket wheel 39 that is driven by the sprocket wheel by means of the chain 40. A connecting rod 41 is connected with the crank arm '38 by,

means-of a suitable joint 42, at one end there of, its other end being connected to a suitable brace 43 arranged between the cross rods 21 on one side of the shaft 18. The connecting rod 41 is connected to the brace 43 by means of a suitable pivot joint 44. A con- .necting rod 45 is secured to the crank arm 38 by means of a suitable coupling 46 at one end, its other end being connected to an arm 47 secured at one end to the sleeve 16, the other end being provided with a suitable pivot joint 48 and secured to the other end of the connecting rod 45.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that upon the rotation of the crank shaft 37 the connecting rods 41 and 45 move all of the wings herein shown, the connecting rod 41 rocking the cross rods 21 carrying the wings 26 and 26, which are loosely mounted on the sleeve 16, while the connecting rod 45 has a pivotal connection with the arm 47, the latter being rigidly secured to the sleeve 16, will cause. the rocking of the cross rods 21 and 21", which are also rigidly secured to the sleeve 16, and as the connecting rods 41 and 45 are disposed upon opposite sides of the shaft 18, it will be seen that an upward movement of the connecting rod 41 produces a'downward movement of the wing 26*, and an upward movement of the wing 26, and a corresponding reverse movement of the connecting rod 41 produces a corresponding reverse movement of the wings. It will also be noted that anupward movement of the connecting rod 45 produces a downward movement of the wings 24 and 24 and an upward movement of the wings 25 and 25, and the corresponding reverse movement of the connecting rod 45 produces a reverse movement of the wings, as hereto- 105 fore noted, so that there is an alternating movement between the middle wing'on each side of the machine and the two smaller wings on'each side. 1

In the construction herein shown, the 110 crank shaft 37 is ada ted to rotate to produce the movement of the wings, although. it is obvious that by ordinary mechanical connections the shaft might be partially rotated so as to produce an oscillating move- 115 ment resulting in the same operation of the wings, although not to so great an extent as when the sha t is entirely rotated.

The propellers 19 and 20 are of the ordinary construction, each beingprovided with four blades, and in the preferred construction two propellers are employed, one

at the rear and one at the forward end, for driving and pulling, respectively, althou h it is obvious that the front propeller mig1t be entirely omitted, if desired.

The steering of the machine is accomplished by moving the roar propeller at an angle to the axis of the shaft 18, whereby force will be exerted on the rear ofthe machine at ditferentangles, according to the angle of the propeller, to effect the steering. For instance: If, as shown in Fig. 1, the driving propeller 19 were moved to the right, the machines direction would be changed to the right, and a-corresponding movement to the left would result in the of the shaft 18 to the propeller shaft 52,

carrying the propeller 19. The housing 50 is preferably made in two parts, secured togeth'er by the usual means, the rear end of the housing being provided with a slot 53, through which the propeller shaft 52 extends. A shoulder 54 is secured to the shaft 52 and to which the steering cables 55 are connected, said steering cables being led back to the body of the machine and secured at a suitable point adjacent the operators seat 56.

It will be readily seen that by pulling upon one of the cables 55 the propeller shaft 52 may be moved within the slot 53, to turn the propeller at different angles: A suitable bracket li T is secured to the forward end of themachine and its lower end terminates in a. bearing for the propeller shaft 18. Side boards' 58 are secured to either side'of the body of the machine and are provided with suitable slots 59 permitting the free movement of the'various braces operating the 3 secured together. To the wings, which side boards prevent the air from passing through the body of themachine and thereby afiecting in any way the operation of the wings.

As before stated, the top plane and the Wings are preferably com osed of a plurality of ordinary palm lea fans 60, suitably marginal edge of each fan a strengthening member 61 is secured, which in the preferred form consists,

of a piece of aluminum wire stitched to the edge ofeach fan, as shown at 62, the ends of the wire being wrapped around the stem 63. Each fan is provided with one or more openings 64, the marginal edges of each opening having a frame work 65 suitably secured to the body of the fan and a valve 66 is hinged at one end to the body of the fan on its under side; suitable means being provided, such use cord 67, for permitting the valve to only partially open.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the .valves being upon the under side of each fan, when the fan is moved-upward the valve will open, allowing the air above to pass through the body of the fan, and on adownward movement of preferably the fan each valve will close and thereby the displacement of air will be greater in the downward movement of the fan than when the same is moved upward. To make each fan stronger, I preferably thread light wires 68 through the body of the fan and in the construction herein shown, three of such to cross each other at right angles, at substantially the center of each valve opening, and thereby not only make the body of each fan more secure, but further insure a stronger structure to support the valve mechanism. In the preferred construction, each fan is secured to a brace 69 by nailing or otherwise securing the stem. 63 to said brace and as the fans are interposed one upon another to form a laminated structure with the stems of each fan in substantial alinement with the brace to which they are secured, an exwires are threaded through the body so as ceedingly homogeneous and durable structure is thereby provided.

While I have particularly described and shown palm leaf fans as composing the body of the Wings and the top plane, I nevertheless do not limit myself'to this particular article, as it is obvious that the wings, might be composed of other material, having the described'valve mechanism connected therewith, and it is further obvious that metal pieces stamped from aluminum or other like material might be made in the form of fans and secured together in the manner as heretofore described.

I have selected palm leaf fans for the reason that they are extremely durable, exceedingly light and are so naturally constructed with crevices and pockets that the air does not slide freely therefrom and they thereby are better adapted for the purposes intended'than an ordinary smooth or fiat piece of material would be.

The top plane is provided with valves for the reason that the air pressure against the samewill not be so great when the machine rises and as the machine moves forward n its gliding movement the valves will be closed and a greater supporting surface be thereby obtained.

In my preferred form of construction, I make the entire frame work of hollow pieces of material, such as bamboo, aluminum piping or other like material, and to prevent the disabling of the machme in case any parts of the frame should break, I secure a cable 70,. which is preferably composed of. wire, within the hollow frame work 71, the ends of said cable being suitably secured atvarious points, so that if the frame 71 breaks the parts thereof will be held in substantial alinement, so as to prevent the entire collapsing or the disabling of the machinegto such an extent that control over the same would be lost. I also preferably employ such cables wlthin the tion of the machii hollow frame work constituting the body, if

the upright frame and the frames for both the top plane and the wings. If further strength in the structure is desired, particularly in the wing construction, I reinforce the same by means of the truss wires 7 2.

As before stated, the principle of operais not based solely on the gliding principle nor on the theory that the machine can be raised entirely by means of its wings, but rather upon a combination of l the two principles.

The mode of operation is as follows: The wmgs are first operated rapidly and the propellers set inimotion so as to have two forces exerted, one to lift the machine and machine moves forward on the gliding principle or the wings may be kept moving sufliciently to help sustain the machine at its desired height, and in actual practice I prefer to keep the wings constantly in motion varying the rapidity with which the wings move according to the varying air currents and the wind velocity By keeping the wings constantly in motion, the lateral stability of the machine is assured and the longitudinal stability may be regulated by movement of the operator or other well known ways, such as by shifting weights.

It is obvious from the foregomg description that I have not limited myself to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein shown and described, and therefore, without limiting myself to the many details and modifications, I claim.

1. In a flying machine, the combination of asuitable body, a stationary plane secured thereto, wings disposed on opposite sides'of said plane, a shaft disposed beneath said stationary plane and arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis thereof, propellers on said shaft at each end thereof, sleeves on said shaft to which the frame work of said wings is secured, and means for rotating said shaft to drive the propellers and for oscillatingsaid sleeve to operate said wings. 2. In a-flying machine, the combination of a body, a plane secured thereto, a shaft, a

propeller on said shaft, means for driving said shaft, wings disposed upon opposite sides of said plane and mounted on said shaft, said wings having valve mechanism therein adapted to open on an upward movement-thereof and to close on a downward movement, and means for alternating the stroke of said Wings on opposite sides of' said plane.

3. In aflying machine, the-combmation of a suitable body, a stationary plane secured thereto, a propeller shaft disposed beneath said plane and extending beyond the ends thereof, propellers secured to the ends of said shaft, means for driving said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, frame work adapted to carry wings secured to said sleeve, wings secured to said frame work having valve mechanism therein adapted to open in an upward movement of said wings and to close on a downward movement thereof, means for oscillating said sleeve to produce movement of said wings in a vertical plane, and means for steering said machine.

at. In a flying machine, the combination of a body having wheels secured thereto, frame work secured to said body and having a plane at the top thereof of greater length than said body, side plates secured to said frame, a propeller shaft secured to said frame, disposed beneath said lane and lying parallel to the longitudina axis of said plane, propellers at the ends of said shaft, means for moving one of said propellers at an angle to said shaft, a sleeve on said sl =ft, one or more frames secured to said sn eve and loosely mounted thereon, said frames adapted to carry wings, one or more frames rigidly secured to said sleeve and adapted to carry other wings, the area of said lastmentioned wings on one side of said machine being equal to the total area of the wings on'the opposite side of said machine, valve mechanisms in said wings adapted to open in a vertical movement thereof and to close in a downwardmovement and means for oscillating said sleeve whereby the frames rigidly secured thereto will have an alternating vertical movement relative to the frames loosely mounted on said sleeve.

5, A flying machine, comprising a body member, a plane, a series of wings and propellers, a shaft disposed beneath said plane 7' and to which said propellers are secured, a

sleeve on said shaft upon which said wings are rigidly and loosely mounted, means for rotating said shaft and for oscillating said sleeve whereby the wings rigidly secured thereto have an alternating movement upon opposite sides thereof, and means for giv-' ing the win s loosely mounted on said $166? a reverse a ternating movement to that of the wings rigidly mounted thereon.

6. A 'flying machine, comprising in combination a body member, a stationary plane secured thereto and located above the same, a shaft disposed beneath said plane, propellers mounted at the ends of said shaft, a sleeve on said shaft, a series of framessecured to said sleeve adapted to carry wings, wings secured to said frames comprising) a series of palm leaf-shaped members suita ly secured together, each leaf member having one or more valvestherein. adapted to open in an upward movement of said wings and to close in a downward movement, and means for rotating said propellers and for moving said Wings vertically.

7 In a flying machine, a wing consisting of a plurality of sections of like material, the edges of each section reinforced, said sections being secured together, each section provided with an valve and a series of strengthening members passing through said sections to hold, the same together and to reinforce the valve.

8. In a flying machine, a wing or plane composed of aseries of natural dried and cured leaves suitably secured together, the marginal edges of each leaf reinforced, one or more openings in each leaf and a valve secured adjacent each opening and adapted to close said opening on an upward movement of said wing or plane and tor close on a downward movement thereof. I

9. In a flying machine, a Wing or plane composed ofa series of palm leaves suitably secured together, theunarginal edge of each leaf reinforced, one or more openings in each leaf and a valve secured-adjacent to each opening and adapted to open on an upward movement of said wing 01' plane and to close on a downward movement thereof.

HENRY J. CASANOVA. Witnesses: FRANK L. YBELKNAP,

JAMES R. OFFIELD. 

